Dry Synthesis of Binder-Free Ruthenium Nitride-Coated Carbon Nanotubes as a Flexible Supercapacitor Electrode

Ruthenium nitride was successfully deposited on a multiwalled carbon nanotube (MWCNT) forest grown on a stainless-steel mesh substrate by radiofrequency plasma-assisted pulsed laser deposition. This novel dry fabrication method for flexible supercapacitor electrodes eliminates toxic byproducts and the need for any binder component. Experimental results show a successful thin film coating of the individual MWCNTs with RuNx under various synthesis conditions. The electrochemical characterization demonstrates a significant improvement in capacitance of the synthesized RuNx-MWCNT electrode compared to the bare MWCNT forest, with a large potential window of 1.2 V. Capacitance values as high as 818.2 F g(-1) (37.9 mF cm(-2)) have been achieved.

Automated summary

This study successfully deposited ruthenium nitride on a stainless-steel mesh substrate using a novel dry fabrication method. The method eliminates toxic byproducts and the need for binders, making it ideal for flexible supercapacitor electrodes. Experimental results showed a significant improvement in capacitance of the synthesized ruthenium nitride-multiwalled carbon nanotube electrode, with a large potential window.